Switch-rod.



W. R. WICCOLLOM.

SWITCH ROD.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. l5. 1914.

1 1&1 9 l Q9., Patented June 1, 1915.

THE NORRIS PETRS Co., FHnTOLlTHO WASHINGTON. D. c.

WILLIAM R. MGCOLLOM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-ROD.

Speeicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Application led october 15, 1914. Serial N o. 866,743.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. MCCOL- LOM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Rods, of which the following is declared to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to switch rods, and more particularly to the connecting rod between the switch stand and switch point.

Crdinarily, connecting rods are constructed of a single piece of metal and frequently great damage is done when a train runs through a switch which is set against it, the result being that some part of the switch stand, cr the connecting members between it and the switch points are broken, leaving the switch points disconnected from the switch stand, so that if the train is backed up over the switch or another train is run over through the switch, further damage is done to the switch points, and the cars are liable to be derailed and overturned.

rlhe object of this invention is to provide a connecting rod between the switch stand and switch point, arranged to temporarily hold the switch points in the position left by a train or car running through the switch when set against it, so that when backing up over the switch or when a following train runs back over the switch, the switch points of the latter will be held in the position set by the train running through it.

To such ends, this invention consists in a connecting rod for switches, made in two parts slidable upon each other', and positively connected together by a breakable part, and having a frictional connection for temporarily holding them in any position assumed when moved relative to each other, with sufficient force to break the breakable art.

p It further consists in the several novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a side elevation of a switch rod embodying a simple form of the present 1nvention and showing its connection with a switch stand and switch point; F ig. 2 is a side view of the same parts, but showing the breakable part as having been broken by a train running through the switch when set against it; Fig. 3 is a plan of the rod alone, looking from below; Fig. 4; is a detail cross section of the rod taken on line 4- of Fig, l; and Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. a.

Referring to said drawing, which shows one embodiment of the present invention, the reference letter, A, designates a switch stand of ordinary and well known construe tion, B, one of the rails of a railroad track, C, a switch point, and D, the connecting rod between the switch stand and switch point. In accordance with the common practice, the ends of the connecting rod, D, are forked as at 10, 11, one end being attached to the switch throwing arm, 12, of the switch stand, and the other end being attached to the switch rod or parts, 13, which connects the two points of the switch. Preferably the parts are connected by bolts, 14, passing through the forked ends of the connecting rod D, and arm, 12,and rod, 13,in accordance with the usual and customary practice. The operation of a switch is well known and requires no particular explanation so far as this specification is concerned. -When the handle of the switch is moved through its stroke, the connecting rod is shifted in one direction, depending on the direction which the switch handle is moved, and the switch points are therewith moved accordingly and set positively by the operating mechanism of the switch stand, which, however, is liable to be broken, and, in fact, is broken, when the switch points are forced back by a train running through the switch when set against it.

The rod, D, which forms the subject matter of this invention, is formed of two members, 15, 16, the one being slidably connected with the other, and positively connected t0- gether against relative, lengthwise movement by a breakable connecting member, 17, that is to say, a connecting member formed of suitable fragile material or of material of suitable form, which will render it more liable to breakage than any other parts of the rod or switch mechanism, whenever sufficient strain is put upon rod, D, to break any part of the switch mechanism.

Preferably, the member, 15, of the connecting rod, D, comprises a rod having the fork, 10, upon one end, and sliding in a tubular part which comprises the member 16, of the rod, D, which members are of strong and substantial construction, and, if

desired, may be formed of malleable castings, or may consist of forgings. rThe two are positively connected against relative movement by the breakable connecting member, 17, which may be formed of cast iron or other comparatively fragile metal, of sufficient strength, however, to transmit motion between the two members,15, 16, of the rod D, whenever the' switch is thrown properly. A simple means for securing the breakable member to the members 15, 16, may comprise lugs, 18, 18, two of which are formed on the member 15, near its forked end, and two on the member 16, near the end adjacent said forked end of the member 15. The space between the forked end of the rod member, 15, and the adjacent end of the tube member, 16, is sufiicient to permit :the rod member, 15, to telescope into the tube member, 16, a distance at least equal to the distance of the throw of the switch point. The breakable member 17, is preferably given a shape facilitating its breakage when subjected to undue strain, and it is shown in the drawing as having a central,`inverted U-shape bend merging into two upright U shape bends, which terminate into eyes, 19, 20. Said eyes are connected to the lugs, 18, 18, by headed pins, 21, eX- tending through registering holes in the lugs and eyes, and said headed pins have cotter pins, 22, on the ends opposite their heads to hold them in place. The three members, 15, 16, 17, constitute the switch rod so far as it serves to throw the switch and perform the functions of a single piece switch rod, until the breakable part is destroyed.

The two members 1.5, 16, of therod, D, are further connected by means capable of holding them against relative lengthwise movement, but not positively, but serving to hold said two members in any position assumed when moved relatively to each other in a lengthwise direction, as, for instance, when the breakable member is broken and the rod member, 15, is telescoped into the y tube member, 16, or partly withdrawn therefrom. Said means may'comprise one or more curved, spring bars, 23, seated in recesses or depressions, Q11, formed 1n the rod member, 15, and bearing against the internal face'of the tube member, 16. Ordinarily, the springs, 23, extend lengthwise of the rod; they are stiff enough, and bent to such an arc of a circle, prior to their being inserted between the two members, 15, 16, that suflicient friction is maintained between said two members to temporarily hold them in fixed position against relative 'lengthwise movement, except, of course,rif

undue force is exerted Vto move them lengthwise of each other. Preferably, the spring or springs are set above the center of the rod, but not on top thereof, and the lower edges, 25, of the recesses slope downward to facilitate the discharge of any water that may possibly collect in said recesses, and one or more discharge orifices, 26, may be provided in the bottom of the tube member, 16, for the escape of the water, although this particular arrangement is not essential, so far as this invention is concerned.

In operation, when the switch is set against a train of cars, and the train runs through the switch, the wheels force both switch points over, and inasmuch as the operating mechanism of the switch stand prevents the end of the switch rod, D, connected therewith, from moving, the switch Y point, through its connection with the other end of the switch rod, D, strains the breakable member to such an extent that it becomes broken (see Fig. 2), whereupon the member, 15, of the rod, D, which is connected to the switch points, is either pulled partly out from the tube member, 16, or pushed farther thereinto, as the case may be, and held in such position by the action of the spring, 23, thereby holding the switch points in the position left by the wheels of the passing train, permitting said train or following ones to run back over the switch without disturbing the switch points and without danger of consequent damage to the switch and train. A person attempting to throw the switch after the breakable member has been broken, may readily detect the break and can replace the broken member with a whole one, without much effort.

More or less variation of the details of construction shown and described, is possible without departing from the spirit of this invention. I desire, therefore, not to limit myself to said exact orm and construction, but intend in the following claims to point out all of the invention disclosed herein.

l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A switch rod comprising two members, the one slidably connected to the other and having a breakable connection forming a positive connection therebetween, capable of being broken when subjected to undue strain, and a frictional element between said two members for temporarily holding them in position when said breakable connection is broken.

2. A switch rod comprising two members frictionally secured together to resist relative lengthwise movement, one having a slidable connection with the other, and, also, a positive connection therewith, comprising a comparatively fragile element.

3. A switch rod comprising two members, one having a frictional, slidable connection with the other, and a curved, comparatively fragile, connecting member secured to and connecting said two members against relative lengthwise movement.

4. A switch rod comprising two members, one having a frictional, slidable connection with the other and a comparatively fragile connecting member secured to and connecting said two members against relative lengthwise movement, eXcept when broken, said fragile member being formed with one or more reverse curved portions.

5. A switch rod comprising two members, one being movable lengthwise upon the other, a spring interposed between said two members for frictionally securing them together against relative lengthwise movement, and an additional, comparatively fragile, connecting member secured to and positively connecting said two members eX- cept when broken.

6. A switch rod comprising two telescoping members, arranged for connection with the throw mechanism of a switch stand and with an associated switch point, one of said members having one or more recesses formed therein, a curved spring seated in each recess and bearing against the other member to frictionally hold them against relative lengthwise movement, and a comparatively fragile, connecting member secured to and connecting said telescoping members, except when broken.

7. A switch rod comprising a tube member and a rod member slidably and friction- Copies of this ally secured in said tube member, the outer ends of said members being arranged for connection with the operating parts of a switch stand and switch point, respectively, and a comparatively fragile, connecting member secured to and positively connecting said tube and rod members, except when broken.

8. A switch rod comprising a tube member, and a rod member sliding therein, said members having a comparatively fragile connection therebetween, and having forked, outer ends for connection with the throw mechanism of a switch stand and with a switch point, a spring plate interposed between the internal face of the tube member and rod member, for frictionally connecting them against relative lengthwise movement.

9. A switch rod comprising a tube member and a rod member sliding therein, said members having a fragile, connecting member therebetween, and being also frictionally connected together, their ends being arranged for connection with the throw mechanism of a switch stand and switch point.

. WILLIAM R. MGCOLLOM. Witnesses:

D. F. MGCARTHY, FRANK MoCoLLoM,

patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

